Twenty year memorial for Fingal Bay character Terry Raper

FINGAL Bay Sports Club stalwarts this week honoured the memory of much loved character and family man Terry Raper.

The second eldest of the nine Raper boys of rugby league fame, old timers in the Bay would remember Terry’s zest for life and strong connection to the Port Stephens community.

Monday 19 January marked the 20th anniversary of Terry’s death in 2006 from melanoma.

He was long revered and spent many years holidaying in Fingal Bay with his wife Jean and family where he left his mark at the local Sports Club as an accomplished lawn bowler.

Younger brother Peter, a Fingal Bay resident, spoke fondly of the “loveable bloke and father” who was a tireless voluntary worker in the Revesby and Port Stephens communities.

“Terry was a respected member of the community who was loved by all and a genuine and committed man with a wicked sense of humour,” a proud Peter told News Of The Area.

“He made life-long friends and wonderful memories during his time at Fingal Bay and simply loved a game of lawn bowls with his mates,” reflected Peter.

“Terry worked hard all his life at the Bankstown Torch newspaper and then successfully ran his own safety training company business,” he added.

Just like all the Raper boys, Terry was mighty proud of his eldest brother Johnny – the late champion St George lock forward and one of the four original rugby league Immortals.

“Terry was passionately committed to the game of rugby league and simply loved the St George jumper,” revealed Peter.

His memory is perpetuated through the Terry Raper Reserve in Revesby – named in his honour as a key contributor to the local community – and Revesby Bowling Club’s annual Terry Raper Memorial Triples Charity Bowls Day which raises funds for the Melanoma Foundation.

Peter and wife Kerrie today continue the Raper family’s connection with Fingal Bay Sports Club as local residents and long time members.

By Chris KARAS